Should You Apologize After a Car Accident?

AUSTIN, Texas. You’ve been in a car accident. Damage was done. While you might have the urge to apologize to other drivers involved, it might be best to save your apologies until you’ve spoken to a qualified personal injury lawyer first. An apology could be construed as an admission of blame. Insurance adjusters might use an apology to claim that you were at fault for an accident. Unfortunately, in the confusion following a car crash, you may not always know all the facts surrounding the crash. Was the other driver drunk? Was his or her license valid? Was he distracted? Until you have more information about what really happened, it’s best to fight the urge to apologize.

Anxiety can sometimes increase our urge to apologize. According to Vice, for some individuals, the need to apologize has less to do with remorse and more to do with the need to alleviate anxiety. People with anxiety may apologize to compensate for perceived flaws, to protect themselves, or to reduce stress. In this case, the apology has less to do with remorse and more to do with reducing anxiety. So, what can you do if you find yourself apologizing all the time? First of all, be self-aware, especially in situations that stress you out. Are you apologizing because of genuine remorse or to reduce your feelings of stress? In the aftermath of a car accident an ill-considered apology can harm you financially.

After you have considered the role each driver has played in the accident, only then can you consider whether an apology might be appropriate. If you were, in fact, responsible for the crash, an apology can sometimes go a long way to reducing the damage, and in some cases, make the settlement process go more smoothly. However, if you do plan to apologize in this fashion, doing so with a lawyer by your side to protect your rights may be useful. Finally, it is important to remember the role that apologies can ultimately play. According to the New York Times, a genuine apology means listening first, which means understanding what went wrong in your accident, which means that an apology at the scene of the crash is too soon.

The Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who see firsthand how devastating car accidents can be for victims and their families. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident, consider speaking to our attorneys today. We may be able to help you seek the damages and recovery you may deserve. At the very least, we may be able to help you understand the role each party may have played in your crash.